Tuesday, 21 October 2008

Foreign Minister: PM wants border talks at Asem

Bangkok Post
Oct 21, 2008

(BangkokPost.com) - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sompong Amornvivat said Prime Minister and Defence Minister Somchai Wongsawat would like to discuss the progress of Thailand and Cambodia to settle the border dispute with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen at the Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem), which will be held from Thursday to Saturday in Beijing, China.

According to Mr Sompong, if there is enough time and opportunity at Asem, the Thai prime minister would like to hold informal talks with Cambodia even though the Cambodian premier may turn down the opportunity.

In addition, Mr Sompong said he will propose Vasin Teeravechyan, the former ambassador to South Korea, to chair the Joint Border Committee (JBC) between Thailand and Cambodia at the weekly cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Earlier Tuesday, Prime Minister Somchai expressed interest to hold informal talks with the Cambodian counterpart at Asem, if the chance arises.

Mr Somchai believed the border tension should ease, if bilateral talks with Prime Minister Hun Sen take place.

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